By Tom Droege
World Staff Writer

You may not want to know what’s behind the walls in your house, but Scott Doshier can show you.

Equipped with an infrared camera that can see through walls and ceilings, Doshier is part of a growing number of people involved in the ever-evolving home inspection profession.

Up until six months ago, anyone with a flashlight and a screwdriver could perform home inspections, but now the state is regulating the industry by requiring tests and licensing.

“The licensing has been a benefit to the consumer,” said Regina Hill of AA Inspection Service in Tulsa. “Before the regulations, a home inspector could inspect any way they wanted.”

Inspectors are primarily hired when real estate is for sale and the seller or buyer would like to know of any problems, whether it be structural, in the plumbing or electrical systems, or with any other physical aspect, she said.

“As we know, buying a house is one of the largest purchases they will make,” Hill said. “The purpose is to protect that investment.”

Dale Lewis, president of the Oklahoma Residential and Commercial Inspectors Association, said the number of inspectors operating in the Tulsa area has grown from about 25 to more than 70 since the Home Inspection Licensing Act went into effect last July.

“Most are people who have been laid off or people looking for a career change or extra income,” he said.

Roger McElvany of the State Department of Health said the department receives two to three applications a week from people wanting to become inspectors. Currently, about 289 people throughout Oklahoma are licensed.

Lewis said it may sound like a tempting job to some people, but it takes 400 to 500 inspections a year to make a career out of it.

The high number of homes for sale in the Tulsa area – more than 6,000 new and resale – has not contributed much to a boost in the inspection business, Lewis said.

“It’s a slow market right now,” he said. “It should pick up though with spring and summer coming.”

Doshier, the inspector with the infrared camera, is launching his career in the Tulsa area through Oxford, Miss.-based HomeSafe Inspection, Inc. The company sells franchises and equipment to field inspectors across the country.

With his camera, Doshier can see patches of missing insulation inside walls, moisture, mouse trails and framing problems. He also uses an acoustic device that is said to detect termite noises that the human ear cannot hear.

“You can hear them munching,” he said. “There’s no other equipment out there like this.”

After the inspection, Doshier gives the customer about 15 to 20 pages long. The cost is about $300.

“I look at this as $300 compared to the $100,000 or so for the cost of the house,” he said.

When selecting an inspector, the American Society of Home Inspectors suggests that consumers check references and interview at least three inspectors before settling on one.

“Preparing to buy or sell a home is a time-consuming task, and doing your homework ahead of time can be crucial,” said Stephen Gladstone, president of ASHI, which represents nearly 6,000 inspectors nationwide.

“Locating an experienced, professional home inspector is one step that can help identify problem areas and avoid costly repairs down the road,” he said, “for both buyers and sellers.”